Practitioner device for facilitating testing and treatment of auditory disorders

ABSTRACT

A practitioner device for facilitating at least one of testing and treatment of at least one auditory disorder is disclosed. The practitioner device includes a user interface configured for receiving an input from a practitioner. Further, the practitioner device includes a communication interface configured for communicating information between the practitioner device and at least one of a mobile device and another practitioner device over at least one of a wired communication channel and a wireless communication channel, wherein the information is based on the input, wherein the information corresponds to at least one of at least one auditory test and at least one auditory treatment procedure, wherein the mobile device facilitates at least one of testing of at least one auditory disorder and treatment of at least one auditory disorder.

The current application is a continuation in part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/855,835 filed Sep. 16, 2015.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to electronic devices. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to methods, systems andapparatus for facilitating testing and treatment of auditory disordersincluding, but not limited to, tinnitus, sound sensitivity disorder,misophonia, hyperacusis, insomnia, stress, depression, hyperactivity,anxiety and hearing loss.

BACKGROUND

Tinnitus is a physical condition, experienced as an aural perception ofnoise when no such external physical noise is present. Most often, inpatients suffering from tinnitus, this noise presents itself as aringing in the ears. In other cases, patients describe hearing othersounds such as a hissing, clicking or roaring noise in the ears, in theabsence of external stimuli.

Testing and treating tinnitus is a difficult task because of itsinherent variability. For instance, patients may not experience the samelevel of tinnitus in both ears. Additionally, factors such as the timeof the day and environment, may affect the ways in which tinnituspresents itself. Moreover, tinnitus often causes psychological effectssuch as, elevated stress and anxiety, due to the persistence of thenoise. Long-term auditory nerve damage is yet another consequence ofleaving tinnitus untreated. Many patients suffering from tinnitus alsoreport hearing loss over time.

Patients experiencing tinnitus currently do not receive round the clockclinical care. Treatment involves visiting hospitals and consultingexperts, to fine tune tinnitus treatment devices.

Therefore, there is a need for methods, systems and apparatus that mayfacilitate testing and treating auditory disorders such as, but notlimited to, tinnitus and hearing loss. Further, there is need formethods, systems and apparatus that may allow a patient to receive carefor testing and treating auditory disorders when the patient is awayfrom the hospital. Additionally, for auditory disorders with high levelsof variability, there is a need for methods, systems and apparatus thatmay allow rapid adjustment of auditory treatment, in response to changesin the symptoms of the auditory disorder affecting the patient.

SUMMARY

A practitioner device for facilitating at least one of testing andtreatment of at least one auditory disorder is disclosed according tosome embodiments. The practitioner device includes a user interfaceconfigured for receiving an input from a practitioner. Further, thepractitioner device includes a communication interface configured forcommunicating information between the practitioner device and at leastone of a mobile device and another practitioner device over at least oneof a wired communication channel and a wireless communication channel,wherein the information is based on the input, wherein the informationcorresponds to at least one of at least one auditory test and at leastone auditory treatment procedure, wherein the mobile device facilitatesat least one of testing of at least one auditory disorder and treatmentof at least one auditory disorder.

A method for facilitating at least one of testing and treatment of atleast one auditory disorder is disclosed according to some embodiments.The method includes receiving, through a user interface of apractitioner device, an input from a practitioner. Thereafter the methodincludes communicating, through a communication interface of thepractitioner device, information between the practitioner device and atleast one of a mobile device and another practitioner device over atleast one of a wired communication channel and a wireless communicationchannel, wherein the information is based on the input, wherein theinformation corresponds to at least one of at least one auditory testand at least one auditory treatment procedure, wherein the mobile devicefacilitates at least one of testing of at least one auditory disorderand treatment of at least one auditory disorder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a practitioner device for facilitating one or more oftesting and treatment of an auditory disorder, in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates communication of information between the practitionerdevice and one or more remote devices such as, but not limited to, amobile device, a cloud storage, and a server, using the communicationinterface of the mobile device, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a mobile device for facilitating one or more oftesting and treatment of an auditory disorder, in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates configuration of a hearing aid by using a hearing aidfitting module included in the mobile device, in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart of a method for one or more of testingand treatment of an auditory disorder, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart of a detailed method for one or more oftesting and treatment of an auditory disorder, in accordance with anembodiment.

DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is provided with reference to thefigures. Exemplary, and in some case preferred, embodiments aredescribed to illustrate the disclosure, not to limit its scope, which isdefined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognizea number of equivalent variations in the description that follows.

Disclosed herein is a practitioner device for facilitating testing andtreatment of an auditory disorder. The practitioner device may operatein conjunction with a mobile device for performing one or more of, anauditory test and an auditory treatment procedure. The auditory disordermay include one or more of, but not limited to, tinnitus, hearing loss,sound sensitivity, hyperacusis, misophonia, insomnia, stress,depression, hyperactivity, and anxiety.

The practitioner device may be one or more of, but not limited to, apersonal mobile smart phone, a telephone, a personal digital assistant,an email device, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet, ahearing aid and an MP3 player. Additionally, the practitioner device maybe an integrated microelectronic device capable of facilitating testingand treatment of the auditory disorder.

In an embodiment, the practitioner device may operate in conjunctionwith the remote mobile device for testing and treating the auditorydisorder. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the practitioner devicemay be a stand-alone device capable of administering testing andtreatment for the auditory disorder. Additionally, a user of thepractitioner device may be one or more of, but not limited to, aclinical expert and a doctor.

The practitioner device may facilitate performing the auditory test suchas one or more of, but not limited to, a hearing loss test, a tinnitussound matching and capturing test, a sound sensitivity disorder (SSD)test, a hyperacusis test, a misophonia test, an insomnia test, a stresstest, a depression test, a hyperactivity test, an anxiety test and arelaxation test. Further, at least one of the practitioner device andthe mobile device may generate a sound signal for treating the auditorydisorder. Moreover, the sound signal generated may simulate an acousticcharacteristic of a physical environment where the user has experienceda symptom corresponding to the auditory disorder. For example, the usermay have experienced a tinnitus sound while in a restaurant.Accordingly, the sound signal generated may simulate the backgroundsound of a restaurant that may include sounds of several people talking.

A hearing loss test may be conducted using at least one of thepractitioner device and the mobile device to generate acoustic waves,and measuring the response of the user to the acoustic waves.Accordingly, at least one of the practitioner device and the mobiledevice may be configured for receiving a response through a userinterface of the at least one of the practitioner device and the mobiledevice. The user interface of the at least one of the practitionerdevice and the mobile device may be one or more of, but not limited to,knobs, dials, buttons, touch sensitive screens, volume controls,keyboards, pointers, mouse and touch pads. The response may berepresentative of the aural perception of the user to the auditorystimuli presented. Additionally, conducting the hearing loss test mayalso include varying the characteristics of the acoustic waves such as,one or more of, but not limited to, a frequency and intensity.Additionally, the threshold of the intensity at each frequency may beprogressively reduced to identify the least intensity that the user mayhear.

In an instance, at least one of the practitioner device and the mobiledevice may also perform a tinnitus sound matching and capturing test, bygenerating and varying the parameters of acoustic waves until, anacoustic wave that best matches a target tinnitus sound may beidentified. Further, the target tinnitus sound may be a sound that auser suffering from tinnitus, hears persistently. In an instance, the atleast one of the practitioner device and the mobile device may beconfigured for selecting an acoustic wave from a library of acousticwaves to be administered to the user. In another embodiment, the atleast one of the practitioner device and the mobile device may beconfigured for synthesizing the acoustic waves based on a set ofparameters identified as suitable for matching and capturing the targettinnitus sound. In yet another embodiment, the at least one of thepractitioner device and the mobile device may also be configured forreceiving an input from the user representing an aural perception of theuser to the sound presented, through the user interface. For instance,the at least one of the practitioner device and the mobile device maypresent a first set of acoustic waves and a second set of acoustic wavesto the user in succession. Thereafter, the user may be asked to identifywhether the first set of acoustic waves or the second set of acousticwaves, is closer to the target tinnitus sound.

Similarly, the at least one of the practitioner device and the mobiledevice may also administer the auditory test for SSD. Further, types ofSSD such as one or more of, but not limited to, misophonia andhyperacusis, may also be tested. A user suffering from misophonia may beunable to withstand acoustic waves of a particular pattern, such as, butnot limited to, the sound of slurping, nail clicking and throatclearing. Whereas, hyperacusis refers to noise sensitivity to a certainrange of parameters of acoustic waves. For example, users suffering fromhyperacusis may be unable to withstand acoustic waves corresponding to acertain range of frequency. The at least one of the practitioner deviceand the mobile device may be able to administer both subjective andobjective tests for identifying misophonia and hyperacusis. For example,the at least one of the practitioner device and the mobile device mayconduct the hyperacusis test by varying the level of a parameter of theacoustic waves generated, for identifying a range of the parameter thatthe user is unable to tolerate. The at least one of the practitionerdevice and the mobile device may perform the misophonia test by askingthe user to provide information about user's perceived tolerance levelsto certain specific sound patterns of acoustic waves, generated by theat least one of the practitioner device and the mobile device.

Additionally, the at least one of the practitioner device and the mobiledevice may be configured to facilitate performing of an auditorytreatment procedure such as, but not limited to, Acoustic TinnitusMasking Therapy (ATMT), Acoustic Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (ATRT),Acoustic Tinnitus Stimulation Therapy (ATST), Cognitive HabituationTinnitus Therapy (CHaTT), Acoustic Insomnia Therapy (AIT), AcousticStress Therapy (AST), Acoustic Depression Therapy (ADT), AcousticHyperactivity Therapy (AHT), Acoustic Anxiety Therapy (AAT) and AcousticRelaxation Therapy (ART). In some embodiments, the auditory treatmentprocedure is based on one or more of habituation, suppression,distraction, attention diversion, relaxation, positive association andneuromodulation.

In an instance, the at least one of the practitioner device and themobile device may facilitate performing a passive auditory treatmentprocedure such as one or more of, but not limited to, ATRT and ATMT.Additionally performing ATRT and ATMT involves, utilizing a combinationof sound therapy and psychological counselling for providing relief tothe user. Sound therapy may involve, generating acoustic waves of atherapeutic nature for masking noises associated with the auditorydisorder. Similarly, the at least one of the practitioner device and themobile device may also be capable of facilitating performing an activeauditory treatment procedure such as, but not limited to, ATST.Administering ATST may involve, generating acoustic waves to be used ininhibiting the spontaneous excitement of auditory neurons. The at leastone of the practitioner device and the mobile device may facilitateadministering ATST by delivering acoustic waves to the ear. The acousticwaves delivered may induce depolarization of auditory neurons, leadingto de-sensitization of the auditory nerve. Reducing the sensitivity ofthe auditory nerve may in turn, lead to reducing the generation of falsenoises, perceived as the targeted tinnitus sound by the user. Prolongedauditory treatment using ATST, may lead to decrease in the frequency ofoccurrence of tinnitus. The at least one of the practitioner device andthe mobile device may also administer AIT and ART, by generatingacoustic waves that are of a soothing nature, in order to help the userrelax and sleep.

CHaTT is a cognitive behavioral therapy that promotes the neurologicalprocess of habituation in the user. Habituation involves the gradualreduction in perception of noises associated with the auditory disorder,over time. Through habituation, the user may eventually learn to ignorethe noises associated with the auditory disorder. CHaTT often involvesmultiple steps such as one or more of, but not limited to, educating theuser about the auditory disorder, training to help the user relax,administering cognitive behavioral therapy, and exposing the user to thenoises associated with the auditory disorder. For instance, educatingthe user involves removing misconceptions about the auditory disorder,and presenting possible treatment options for managing the auditorydisorder. Training to help the user relax helps reduce negativeemotional consequences of the auditory disorder. Further, providingcognitive behavioral therapy prevents the user from falling intodysfunctional cognitive patterns that intensifies the negative emotionalconsequences of the auditory disorder, and helps the user adopt arealistic attitude for dealing with the auditory disorder. Additionally,exposing the user to the noises associated with the auditory disorderfor a prolonged period may help the user habituate to the noisesassociated with the auditory disorder.

AIT, and ART, involve using a combination of sound therapy andpsychological counselling for providing relief to the user. Bygenerating acoustic waves of a soothing nature, the negative emotionalconsequences of the auditory disorder may be reduced. For example,generating acoustic waves of a soothing nature may help the user reduceanxiety and overcome insomnia.

Components of the practitioner device 100 that may be used to facilitateone or more of, the auditory test and the auditory treatment procedureare illustrated in FIG. 1. The components may be one or more of, but notlimited to, a user interface 102 and a communication interface 104. Thepractitioner device 100 is explained in further detail in conjunctionwith FIG. 3 below. The user interface 102 configured for receiving aninput from a practitioner. Based on the input provided by thepractitioner, the communication interface 104 is configured tocommunicate information between the practitioner device 100 and at leastone of a mobile device 202 and another practitioner device 204 over atleast one of a wired communication channel and a wireless communicationchannel as illustrated in FIG. 2.

In an embodiment, the practitioner device 100 may communicate with oneor both of a server 206 and a cloud storage 208. Additionally, thepractitioner using the practitioner device 100 may download theinformation into an expert database in the cloud storage 208. Otherinformation belonging to the practitioner such as, but not limited to,data, records, scientific articles and user reports, may also be storedin the expert database. Moreover, the cloud storage 208 may also store apopular science database for containing scientific articles relevant tothe user and the practitioner.

In another embodiment, the mobile device 202 may store data in the cloudstorage 208. The practitioner using the practitioner device 100 may thenaccess the cloud storage 208 to obtain data corresponding to the user ofthe mobile device 202. In an instance of the embodiment, the cloudstorage 208 may be used to store information pertaining to the user.Additionally, a user account may be registered in the cloud storage 208for the user. The user account may be used for containing allinformation pertaining to the user. Further, cloud storage 208 may storeinformation pertaining to the practitioner operating the practitionerdevice 100, and at least one other practitioner operating anotherpractitioner unit. Using the cloud storage 208, the practitioneroperating the practitioner device 100 may then access informationpertaining to another practitioner operating another remote unit, andvice versa.

The information communicated by the practitioner device 100 to themobile device 202 via the communication interface 104 corresponds to atleast one of at least one auditory test and at least one auditorytreatment procedure. In an embodiment, the information includes at leastone parameter, wherein the sound synthesizer is configured forgenerating the at least one sound signal in accordance with the at leastone parameter, wherein the at least one parameter is based on at leastone of the at least one auditory test and the at least one auditorytreatment procedure. Thereafter, the mobile device facilitates at leastone of testing of at least one auditory disorder and treatment of atleast one auditory disorder. Components of the mobile device 202 thatmay be used to perform one or more of, the auditory test and theauditory treatment procedure are illustrated in FIG. 3. The componentsmay be one or more of, but not limited to, a sound synthesizer 300, anacoustic transducer 302, an audio port 304, a controller 306, acommunication interface 308 and a storage module 310. In an embodiment,at least one of the sound synthesizer 300, the acoustic transducer 302,the audio port 304, the controller 306, and the storage module 310 areincluded in the practitioner device 100.

The sound synthesizer 300 is configured for generating the sound signalneeded in performing one or more of, the auditory test and the auditorytreatment procedure. Further, the sound signal may be generated based ona parameter corresponding to the sound signal. The parameter may be oneor more of, but not limited to, a pitch, a tone, a loudness, a volume,an amplitude, a phase, a phase shift, an intensity, a frequency, abandwidth, a noise, a speech, a rhythm, a start time, an end time and aperiodicity. In an embodiment, the parameter used in performing theauditory test may be different from another parameter used in performingthe auditory treatment procedure.

Further, the sound synthesizer 300 may comprise a module such as one ormore of, but not limited to, a compatible digital signal processer(DSP), a sound card, a central processing unit (CPU), a software moduleand a speaker, for facilitating the generation of the sound signal.Further, the module of the sound synthesizer 300 may enable generatingthe sound signal in accordance with standards for sound synthesis suchas, but not limited to, Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI).

Additionally, the sound synthesizer 300 may perform screening andcalibration of parameters. For instance, the sound synthesizer 300 mayallow screening and calibration of frequency and loudness, of the soundsignal. Moreover, adjustment of loudness may be carried out usingmechanisms such as one or more of, but not limited to, static manualadjust, dynamic increment steps, dynamic varying speed, discontinuousexperimental signal calibration with one or more sound levels andcontinuous experimental signal calibration with one or more soundlevels. Further, the sound synthesizer 300 may allow for both manual andautomatic, screening and calibration.

In an embodiment, the sound synthesizer 300 may allow automaticadjustment of the parameter of the sound signal, for performing one ormore of, the auditory test and the auditory treatment procedure. Inanother embodiment, the sound synthesizer 300 may allow for manualadjustment of the parameter of the sound signal to be generated.Additionally, the adjustment of the parameter of the sound signal to beused in the auditory test may differ from an adjustment of the parameterof another sound signal to be used in the auditory treatment procedure.In another embodiment, a user operating the mobile device 202 may beallowed to modify the parameter of the sound signal using the userinterface of the mobile device 202.

Further, the sound synthesizer 300 may use an algorithm such as one ormore of, but not limited to, a logical algorithm and an analyticalalgorithm, for synthesizing the sound signal. The algorithms may utilizesignal-processing techniques such as one or more of, but not limited to,nonlinear, non-stable, dynamic and additive signal processing. Moreover,parameter variables of the algorithm may be, one or more of, but notlimited to, sound signal waveform, time, amplitude and phase angle.Additionally, the algorithm may be implemented by one or more softwaremodules in the sound synthesizer 300 for generating the sound signal. Inan instance, the sound synthesizer 300 may use an analytical algorithmfor generating the sound signal. Additionally, the sound synthesizer 300may use one or more of a time domain signal and a frequency domainsignal, in conjunction with the analytical algorithm for generating thesound signal.

Further, the mobile device 202 may also include the acoustic transducer302 for generating acoustic waves based on the sound signal receivedfrom the sound synthesizer. Further, the acoustic transducer 302 mayallow for generation of acoustic waves in a range of a parameter neededfor testing and treating the auditory disorder. Additionally, in anembodiment, the range of the parameter to be used in the auditory testmay differ from the range of the parameter to be used in the auditorytreatment procedure. In an embodiment, the frequency of the acousticwaves generated may be, but not limited to, the range of 1 Hz to 20 KHz.In addition, the intensity of the acoustic waves generated may be, butnot limited to, the range of 0 dB to 120 dB. In an instance, theacoustic transducer 302 may be earphones, capable of generating theacoustic waves characterized by the range of the parameter needed fortesting and treating the auditory disorder.

The mobile device 202 may also include the audio port 304 forfunctioning as an interface to the acoustic transducer 302. For example,the audio port 304 may be used as an interface for plugging in theearphones.

Additionally, the mobile device 202 may include the communicationinterface 308 for exchanging information between the mobile device 202and the practitioner device 100 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The mobiledevice 202 may also communication with the cloud storage 208 and theserver 206. One or more communication channels such as, but not limitedto, a wireless and a wired channel, may be used for exchanginginformation between the mobile device 202 and at least one of thepractitioner device 100, the cloud storage 208 and the server 206. Thewireless channel may be, but not limited to, Bluetooth, wirelessinternet, infrared, near field communication and radio frequency.Moreover, the communication interface 308 may exchange informationpertaining to one or more of, the auditory test and the auditorytreatment procedure. Additionally, in an embodiment, the informationpertaining to the auditory test may be different from the informationpertaining to the auditory treatment procedure.

Further, the communication interface 308 may be configured for receivinginformation from the practitioner device 100. The information receivedmay include, but is not limited to, the sound signal, the parametercorresponding to the sound signal, the result of the auditory test, theauditory test, the auditory treatment procedure and a counsellingprotocol from the remote location. Further, the parameter may be basedon the auditory test and the auditory treatment procedure. Additionally,the communication interface 308 may be capable of receiving informationstored in the storage module 310 of the mobile device 202.

The communication interface 308 may also be configured for transmittinginformation. The information transmitted may include, but not limitedto, the sound signal, a parameter corresponding to the sound signal, theauditory test, a result of the auditory test, the auditory treatmentprocedure and a counselling protocol. Further, the parameter of thesound signal may be based on at least one of, the auditory test and theauditory treatment procedure. Additionally, the communication interface308 may be capable of transmitting information stored in the storagemodule 310 of the mobile device 202.

Further, the storage module 310 of the mobile device 202 may beconfigured for storing information related to the auditory treatmentprocedure and the auditory test. Additionally, the information relatedto the auditory test may be different from, the information related tothe auditory treatment procedure. The information may include one ormore of, but not limited to, the sound signal, a parameter correspondingto the sound signal, a result of the auditory test, a result of theauditory treatment procedure, information corresponding to psychologicaltraining and counselling, the result of assessing the auditory test, alibrary of sound signals to be used in treating the auditory disorder,protocols for conducting the auditory test, a treatment therapy expertdatabase and a training material database. For example, the library ofsound signals may comprise a tinnitus sound database for storing soundsignals to be administered in treating tinnitus.

The controller 306 may be configured for controlling at least one of,the sound synthesizer, the acoustic transducer 302 and the audio port304, in order to facilitate testing and treatment of the auditorydisorder. Further, the controller 306 may comprise one or more ofelectronic circuitry and software algorithms, configured for at leastone of nonlinear, non-stable and additive signal processing, forenabling diagnosis and treatment of the auditory disorders. The softwarealgorithms may include one or more of, but not limited to, analyticalalgorithms and logical algorithms.

Additionally, the controller 306 may be a processing unit such as one ormore of, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller 306, aCPU and a DSP. Further, in an embodiment, the controller 306 may receivea set of instructions for facilitating the administering of the auditorytest and the auditory treatment procedure. Additionally, the set ofinstructions to be used in facilitating the auditory test may bedifferent from, the set of instructions used in facilitating theauditory treatment procedure.

Based on the set of instructions received, the controller 306 may modifythe parameter corresponding to the sound signal to be generated forperforming the auditory test and the auditory treatment procedure.Thereafter, the controller 306 may control one or more of, the soundsynthesizer, the acoustic transducer 302 and the audio port 304 forgenerating the acoustic waves based on the modified parameters.

Alternatively, in another embodiment, based on analyzing information thecontroller 306 may automatically issue a set of instructions forperforming one or more of, the auditory test and the auditory treatmentprocedure. For example, the controller 306 may analyze informationpertaining to the result of the auditory test. Based on the result, thecontroller 306 may automatically select the auditory treatment procedureto be administered. Thereafter, the controller 306 may issue the set ofinstructions, for controlling one or more of the sound synthesizer, theacoustic transducer 302 and the audio port 304, for generating a soundsignal to be used in administering the auditory treatment procedure.

In an embodiment, the controller 306 may control the sound synthesizer300 for the left ear, hereinafter referred to as the left ear soundsynthesizer, and another sound synthesizer 300 for the right ear,hereinafter referred to as the right ear sound synthesizer. In aninstance, the controller 306 may copy the sound signal generated by theleft ear sound synthesizer onto the right ear sound synthesizer, andvice versa. Subsequently, adjustments may be made to customize the soundsignal in accordance with the requirements of each ear.

In another embodiment, the controller 306 may be configured forperforming testing and treatment in one or more modes such as, but notlimited to, a synchronous mode and an asynchronous mode, of deliveringacoustic waves to both left and right ears.

In the synchronous mode of adjustment, the sound signal to be generatedfor the right ear, and the sound signal to be generated for the leftear, may be modified by the controller 306 in a manner that isdependent. Whereas, in the asynchronous mode of adjustment, thecontroller 306 may independently modify the sound signal to be deliveredto the left ear, and the sound signal to be delivered to the right ear.Moreover, in the synchronous mode of operation, the modification forboth ears may occur simultaneously. For example, the controller 306 maydeliver an auditory test for tinnitus to the left ear, and anotherauditory test for hearing loss to the right ear, simultaneously. In anembodiment, selection of the mode of operation may occur automatically.In an alternative embodiment, a user operating the mobile device 202 mayspecify the mode of operation by interacting with the user interface ofthe mobile device 202.

Further, the controller 306 may be configured for controlling the soundsynthesizer 300 based on the result of the auditory test and the resultof the auditory treatment procedure. Additionally, the result may be,but is not limited to, the sound signal, the parameter corresponding tothe sound signal, the auditory test, the result of the one auditorytest, the result of the auditory treatment procedure, the counsellingprotocol, a centre frequency of hearing loss, a tinnitus maskingfrequency range and a pure tone audiogram. Further, the result may beexpressed in any form such as, but not limited to, text, figure,graphic, audio and video format.

Additionally, the controller 306 of the mobile device 202 may alsocontrol the storage module 310 of the mobile device 202. Operating thestorage module 310 may involve, storing, recording, managing andprocessing, information related to patient information, the auditorytest and the auditory treatment procedure. For example, the library ofsound signals in the storage module 310 may be used by the controller306 for convenient use, storage, classification and selection of thesound signal to be used in treating the auditory disorder.

Moreover, the controller 306 may also organize individual records foreach user using the mobile device 202 in the storage module 310.Further, records may also be organized and sorted in a hierarchicalmanner. Additionally the levels of the hierarchy may be, but are notlimited to, the type of auditory disorder, the severity of auditorydisorder and the type of auditory treatment procedure. For example,records may be categorized based on a severity of tinnitus. In aninstance, the controller 306 may prevent alteration to the records. Inanother instance, the controller 306 may restrict access to modificationof the records. Control for modifying the records may be selectivelygiven to a user such as, but not limited to, an administrator, aclinical expert and a doctor.

Further, the controller 306 may allow information stored in the storagemodule 310 to be exchanged with a remote location using thecommunication interface 308.

In an embodiment, the controller 306 may allow exchanging informationcontained in the storage module 310 with at least one of thepractitioner device 100, the server 206 and the cloud storage 208. Apractitioner operating the practitioner device 100 may modify one ormore of, the auditory test and the auditory treatment procedure, to beadministered based on information received from the mobile device 202.The practitioner operating the practitioner device 100 may be one ormore of, but not limited to, a clinical expert and a doctor.

For example in accordance with the embodiment, the controller 306 maysend the result of performing the auditory test, to the practitionerdevice 100. A practitioner may then analyze the result and modify theparameter of the sound signal to be used in administering the auditorytreatment procedure. Thereafter, the practitioner may send themodifications using the practitioner device 100 to at least one of themobile device 202, the server 206 and the cloud storage 208 for storagein the library of sound signals. The controller 306 may subsequentlyaccess the library of sound signals when administering the auditorytreatment procedure, and generate the sound signal based on themodifications to the parameter. Thereafter, the controller 306 mayoperate the sound synthesizer 300 to generate the sound signal to beused for administering the auditory treatment procedure. Subsequently,user may directly interact with the practitioner, and communicate theefficacy of the auditory treatment procedure to the practitioner. Theuser and the practitioner may then work together to fine tune theauditory treatment procedure to be delivered to the user in future.

Further, the controller 306 may also allow the practitioner device 100to control the operation of the mobile device 202. Remote control of themobile device 202 may be enabled by using the communication interface308 of the mobile device 202. Additionally, remote control of the mobiledevice 202 may occur on a real time basis. For example, if the userrequires urgent attention from the practitioner, real time remotecontrol of the mobile device 202 may be provided to the practitioner.Additionally, operation software and a mobile application may be used toconnect the mobile device 202 through wireless internet to thepractitioner.

Furthermore, the controller 306 may facilitate performing the auditorytest, using the components of the mobile device 202, and at least onemodule interfaced with the mobile device 202. For instance, the at leastone module may be a digital aural endoscope used in obtaining images ofparts of the ear such as, but not limited to, the ear canal and the eardrum. The controller 306 may subsequently store the images taken by theendoscope in the storage module 310. Additionally, the controller 306may also incorporate the images into a comprehensive digital reportcontaining the result of conducting the auditory test. Further, at leastone of the images and the comprehensive report may be stored temporarilyin the storage module 310 for further analysis by the controller 306.

Subsequently, in an instance, the user may choose to output at least oneof the images and the comprehensive report to a printer. Alternatively,in another instance, one or more of, the images and the comprehensivereport may be transmitted by the controller 306 to at least one of thepractitioner device 100, the server 206 and the cloud storage 208. Thepractitioner at the practitioner device 100 may then analyze the imagesto assess the state of the ear, and prescribe the auditory treatmentprocedure to be administered by the mobile device 202 to the user. Thestate of the ear may be, but is not limited to, ear disease, damage,inflammation, earwax embolism and narrow ear canals.

In an embodiment, the controller 306 may facilitate performing theauditory test for hearing loss. The controller 306 may perform theauditory test by generating the sound signal using the soundsynthesizer, and measuring the response of the user to the sound signal.The result of testing the hearing loss may then be stored in the storagemodule 310. The result of the auditory test for hearing loss may includeone or more of, but not limited to, a hearing loss central frequency, arelevant tinnitus masking frequency range and a pure tone audiogram.Thereafter, the user may output the result to a printer for analysis.Additionally, the result may be transferred to at least one of thepractitioner device 100, the server 206 and the cloud storage 208 to beanalyzed by the practitioner. Further, the result may be storedtemporarily in the storage module 310 for analysis by the controller306.

Further, in accordance with the embodiment, the type of auditory testperformed may be one or more of, but not limited to, a subjective test,an objective test and a speech hearing ability test. In an instance, theauditory test conducted for measuring hearing loss may be one or moreof, but not limited to, a subjective pure tone hearing test, anobjective acoustic impedance admittance measurements (OAE), an auditorybrainstem response (ABR), an auditory steady-state evoked response(ASSR), a real ear analysis and a speech assessment. The controller 306may select one or more characteristics of the sound signal forconducting the auditory test. The one or more characteristics may be,but not limited to, a single tone, a pure tone, a synthesized tone, asingle rhythm, a complex tone, a complex rhythm, a simulated naturalsound, an animal bulking and a human speech signal. The controller 306then operates the sound synthesizer 300 to generate the sound signal inaccordance with the one or more characteristics selected. Further, thecontroller 306 may also adjust the parameter of the sound signalaccording to the type of auditory test to be administered for measuringhearing loss.

Additionally in the embodiment, the controller 306 may generate the puretone for testing hearing loss in a normal noisy environment. Further,the amplitude of the pure tone may be within, but is not limited to, therange of 0-120 db, and the frequency of the pure tone may be within therange of, but is not limited to, 0 to 20,000 Hertz. Moreover, thecontroller 306 may also simulate a noisy environment surrounding theuser. Further, the controller 306 may perform one or more of, noisemasking, background environment analysis, real ear analysis and asurround sound field assessment, for simulating the noisy environment.

In an embodiment, the controller 306 may capture and playback acousticwaves for testing and treating the auditory disorder. Further, thecontroller 306 may generate the sound signal using the soundsynthesizer. The sound signal generated may be in the range of 0-100 db,and 1-20,000 Hz.

Further, the controller 306 may cause the sound signal to be generatedin one or more stages. For example, at a first stage of generation, afirst sound synthesizer and a second sound synthesizer may be used forgenerating a first sound signal and a second sound signal, over multiplechannels. Subsequently, the first sound signal and the second soundsignal may be combined to form a synthesized sound signal. The parameterof the synthesized sound signal may be varied by changing thecontribution of each channel in generating the synthesized sound signal.For example, changing the contribution by each channel may involve,changing a given level of the parameter corresponding to the soundsignal.

Additionally, the type of sound signal produced may be one or more of,but not limited to, a pure tone, a noise, a pulse and a recorded sound.Similarly, the tone of the sound signal produced may be one or more of,but not limited to, regular pure sound, synthesis pure sound, pulse puresound and mix-pulse sound. The noise associated with the sound signalincludes one or more of, but not limited, to a white noise, a colorednoise and a filter-transferred noise. Further, characteristics of thenoise such as one or more of, but not limited to, a frequency, a range,a tone, a rhythm and a loudness, may be adjusted in order to customizetesting and treatment of the auditory disorder. Additionally, theloudness of each sound signal generated may be adjusted using a switch.

Further, the second stage of generation may involve adding a pre-shapedsound signal to the synthesized sound signal received from the firstlevel. The waveform of the pre-shaped sound signal may include one ormore of, but not limited to, a straight line, an impact, a slope, azigzag, a trigonometric function, a trapezoid, a rectangular and apulse, waveform. Further, the waveform added may be made adjustable inorder to customize testing and treatment of the auditory disorder.

Additionally, at the third stage of generation, background sounds may beadded to the sound signal received from the second stage. The backgroundsounds may be one or more of, but not limited to, background music,nature sounds and other synthesized sounds.

According to the embodiment, in an instance the controller 306 mayperform capture and playback of acoustic waves for treating tinnitus.Capture and playback of acoustic waves may involve, matching andcapturing the sound signal capable of providing the best relief fortreating the target tinnitus sound, specific to the user. Additionally,the controller 306 may allow customizations to be made to the soundsignal for providing the target tinnitus sound. The customization may bebased on factors such as, but not limited to, a side of the ear, a timeof the day and a current environment of the mobile device 202. Otheradjustments such as selecting the synchronous and the asynchronous, modeof delivering the sound signal to both the left ear and the right ear,may also be allowed. Moreover, the parameter of the sound signal may bevaried to identify the sound signal that best masks the target tinnitussound.

Further, in the instance, the controller 306 may automatically generatethe sound signal to be used for matching and capturing the targettinnitus sound, using information in the storage module 310. Thecontroller 306 may additionally use information such as, data stored inthe tinnitus sound database for automatically generating the soundsignal. Alternatively, in accordance with the instance, the controller306 may obtain a reference sound signal from the remote location, andsubsequently modify the reference signal to match and capture the targettinnitus sound.

Furthermore, in accordance with the instance, subsequent to generatingthe sound signal for treating tinnitus, the controller 306 may allow theuser to adjust the parameter of the sound signal. Adjusting theparameter may enable the user to find a setting of the parameter thatprovides the best match to the target tinnitus sound. The user mayinteract with the user interface of the mobile device 202 for adjustingthe parameter. Alternatively, control over modifying the sound signalmay be limited to the practitioner at the practitioner device 100. Inyet another alternative, the controller 306 may automatically modify thesound signal without any user input. Further, the controller 306 maytake into account subjective information such as, but not limited to,information provided by the user during psychological training andcounselling, in selecting and modifying the sound signal to bedelivered.

In an embodiment, the controller 306 may facilitate testing andtreatment of the auditory disorder by providing psychological trainingand counselling. Providing psychological training and counselling mayinclude one or more of, but not limited to, performing psychologicalassessment, providing behavior cognition therapy, psychological guidanceplanning and psychological training.

Further, in accordance with the embodiment, the controller 306 mayprovide psychological assessment by having a user provide informationpertaining to the psychological ramifications of the auditory disorderaffecting the user. The user may provide information such as one or moreof, but not limited to, a perceived level of the auditory disorder,efficacy of the auditory treatment procedure received so far, andfactors contributing to exacerbating the auditory disorder.

In an instance of the embodiment, the controller 306 may provide aself-assessment questionnaire to the user. The information received fromthe user may comprise, the answers provided by the user in theself-assessment questionnaire. Further, the information provided in theself-assessment questionnaire may be formulated in a question and answerpsychological table, scored against standardized answers, and thensubsequently summarized into a report by the controller 306.Subsequently, the report may be transmitted by the controller 306 usingthe communication interface 308 to at least one of the practitionerdevice 100, the server 206 and the cloud storage 208. The practitioneroperating the practitioner device 100 may then assess the report, andprovide feedback to the user as a part of providing the auditorytreatment procedure. Feedback may be transmitted to the mobile device202 from the practitioner device 100 for easy access by the user. Thefeedback may be, but is not limited to, the counselling protocol, and acustomized plan and execution procedure, to be implemented by the user.

In another instance of the embodiment, the controller 306 may facilitateperforming auditory treatment procedure by providing behavior cognitiontherapy. By providing behavior cognition therapy one or more of, a moodof the user and cognition, may be improved. The controller 306 mayprovide information to reform thinking, belief and action of the user,as means of providing the behavior cognition therapy. Further, thecontroller 306 may modify the behavior cognition therapy to be provided,based on information provided by the user. By providing the behaviorcognition therapy the controller 306 may enable a user to handle theauditory disorder by training the user to slowly ignore the noisesassociated with the auditory disorder over time.

Further, in accordance with the embodiment, the controller 306 mayprovide psychological training by providing training files using formatssuch as, one or more of, but not limited to video, audio and text. Thetraining files may include information such as, one or more of, but notlimited to the counselling protocol, and the customized counselling planand execution procedure. Moreover, the training files may enable theuser to self-manage auditory disorders.

In an instance of the embodiment, the user may receive the trainingfiles from the remote location, thereby enabling psychological trainingin situations when the user is away from a hospital. Additionally, theuser may also fill a report subsequent to performing one or more stepsin the training files, and transmit the report to at least one of withthe practitioner device 100, the cloud storage 208 and the server 206.The practitioner operating the practitioner device 100 may read thereport and further customize the training materials to be sent to theuser.

In an embodiment, subsequent to performing the auditory test, thecontroller may send the result of the auditory test to the remotelocation for assessment. Alternatively, in another embodiment,subsequent to performing the auditory test, the controller 306 mayautomatically assess the result of performing the auditory test. Thecontroller 306 may be capable of assessing separately the results ofeach auditory test conducted by the mobile device 202. The controller306 may also be capable of combining and analyzing the result of a firstauditory test with a second auditory test, together. Additionally, otherinformation such as one or more of, but not limited to, images taken bythe digital endoscope, information obtained from the user duringpsychological counselling and training, and information stored at theremote location, may also be taken into account during assessment. Forexample, the controller 306 may be able to combine and analyze together,the result of conducting the auditory test for hearing loss, the resultof conducting the auditory test for tinnitus, images obtained from thedigital endoscope and information obtained through performingpsychological assessment and training.

Additionally in the embodiment, the controller 306 may perform bothqualitative and quantitative assessment of the result obtained fromperforming the auditory test. For instance, the controller 306 may beable to classify a severity level of the tinnitus, based on the resultobtained from conducting the auditory test for hearing loss and theresult obtained from conducting the auditory test for tinnitus, alongwith information obtained from psychological training and counselling.The type of information used in assessing the severity may be one ormore of, but not limited to, tone and loudness assessment results,counselling results and, self-assessment questionnaire analysis scores.Further, the controller 306 may provide a comprehensive report of theresult obtained from assessing the auditory test, with at least oneother auditory test.

In accordance with the embodiment, subsequent to performing theassessment, the controller 306 may store the result of the assessment inthe storage module 310. Additionally, the result of the assessment maybe output to a device such as, but not limited to, a printer and a touchscreen.

In an embodiment, the controller 306 may receive instructions from theremote location for performing the auditory treatment procedure.

Alternatively, in another embodiment, the result of the assessment maybe used by the controller 306 for automatically facilitating theauditory treatment procedure. Facilitating the auditory treatmentprocedure may involve one or more of, but not limited to, selecting,requesting, creating and modifying, the auditory treatment procedure tobe provided to the user. Further, the controller 306 may also be able touse the result of assessing one auditory disorder and at least one otherauditory disorder, in facilitating the auditory treatment procedure.Further, the controller 306 may use the result of assessment insimultaneously administering the auditory treatment procedure for oneauditory disorder and at least one other auditory disorder. For example,the controller 306 may analyze the result of assessment from conductingthe auditory test for hearing loss, and the auditory test for tinnitus.The analysis may reveal that by decreasing the threshold at a givenfrequency, the target tinnitus sound may be reduced and hearing at otherfrequencies may be improved. The controller 306 may then accordinglyfacilitate the auditory treatment procedure by decreasing the thresholdat the given frequency. Further, in accordance with the embodiment, thecontroller 306 may also perform assessment of the result obtained afteradministering the auditory treatment procedure, for analyzing theefficacy of the auditory treatment procedure already administered.

In an embodiment, the controller 306 may administer the auditorytreatment procedure of sound therapy. The controller 306 may performsound therapy by generating acoustic waves providing a therapeuticeffect to a user operating the mobile device 202. Different types ofsound therapies such as one or more of, but not limited to, physicalinterference, sound sensitivity treatment, ATMT, ATRT and ATST may beprovided. In an instance, the controller 306 may obtain the sound signalfrom the remote location. Additionally, the controller 306 may save thesound signal in the storage module 310, and subsequently access thesound signal for generating the acoustic waves using the acoustictransducer 302 and the audio port 304.

In an embodiment, the practitioner device 100 includes at least onesensor configured to sense at least one of sound perception forperforming a Subjective Pure Tone Hearing Test, bone conduction forperforming a Bone Conductive Hearing Test, Objective Acoustic Impedance,Auditory Brainstem Response and Auditory Steady-State Evoked Response.In an instance of the embodiment, at least one of the practitionerdevice 100 and the mobile device 202 includes at least one sensorconfigured for performing at least one of real-ear measurement andsurround sound field assessment.

In an instance of the embodiment, the controller 306 may facilitate theauditory treatment procedure by controlling a hearing aid fitting module400 as shown in FIG. 4. The hearing aid fitting module 400 may be usedfor providing a configuration input to a hearing aid 402, interfacingwith the mobile device 202. The configuration input provided by thecontroller 306 to the hearing aid fitting module 400 may include, but isnot limited to one or more of, the sound signal, a parameter for thesound signal and a type of the sound signal.

Additionally in the instance, the hearing aid fitting module may be usedby the controller 306 in administering the auditory treatment procedurefor the user suffering from hearing loss. The hearing aid fitting module400 may also be used by the controller 306 in configuring the hearingaid 402 in one or more of, the synchronous mode and the asynchronousmode, of administering treatment to the left and right ear.

In accordance with the instance, the controller 306 may automaticallyanalyze the result of assessment and facilitate the auditory treatmentprocedure by fitting the hearing aid 402 to improve the hearing of auser suffering from hearing loss. Alternatively, a practitioner at thepractitioner device 100 may be able to fit the hearing aid 402 based oninformation transmitted by the controller 306 to the practitioner device100. The information may be one or more of, but not limited to, theresult of the auditory test, the result of assessing the auditory test,images taken by the digital endoscope, and information obtained throughpsychological training and counselling.

In another instance, in accordance with the embodiment, the controller306 may also facilitate the auditory treatment procedure for theauditory disorder of tinnitus. The controller 306 may facilitateauditory treatment procedure by facilitating one or more of, but notlimited to, physical acoustic interference treatment, physiologicalcounselling, and tinnitus sound matching and capturing.

Further, in the instance, the controller 306 may analyze informationfrom one or more sources for facilitating the auditory treatmentprocedure for tinnitus. The one or more sources may include, but is notlimited to, the storage module 310 and the remote location.Additionally, the information may include the result of assessment forthe auditory test, and the result of the auditory test, for tinnitus.The information may also include, but is not limited to, images from thedigital endoscope, information obtained from the user throughpsychological counselling and training, and information obtained fromthe remote location. Further, the information obtained from the remotelocation may include one or more of, but not limited to, input from thepractitioner, and information stored in the cloud storage 208.

Thereafter in accordance with the instance, the controller 306 may applybuilt-in treatment formula based on the results of analyzing theinformation, for generating the sound signal to be used in treatingtinnitus. The sound signal may be generated for both synchronous andasynchronous, mode of the auditory treatment procedure for both the leftand right ears. Additionally, the controller 306 may only be configuredto deliver only one of, the active auditory treatment procedure and thepassive auditory treatment procedure. Alternatively, the controller 306may be able to combine and simultaneously deliver the passive auditorytreatment procedure and the active auditory treatment procedure.Subsequent to administering the auditory treatment procedure fortinnitus, the controller 306 may perform actions such as one or more of,but not limited to storing, printing, displaying and transmitting, tothe remote location, the result of the auditory treatment procedure.

Alternatively, in accordance with the method and systems disclosedherein, the mobile device 202 of the present invention may also beconfigured as a plug-in device to be interfaced with a base unit, forfacilitating the testing and treatment of the auditory disorder. Theplug-in device may be interfaced with the base unit using one or more ofa wired and a wireless connection. The base unit may be part of one ormore of a computer, a laptop, a tablet computer and a smart phone.

The plug-in device may be one or more of, but not limited to earphones,the hearing aid 402, a special purpose tinnitus treatment device and anmp3 player. Moreover, the plug-in device may communicate with componentsof the mobile device 202 through a channel such as one or more of, butnot limited to, a wireless channel and a wired channel. Further, theplug-in device may be a self-contained device comprising components suchas, computer memory, sound card, batteries, wired communicationinterfaces, wireless communication interfaces and earphones.

In one embodiment, the plug-in device may comprise components such as,but not limited to, one or more of, the sound synthesizer 300, theacoustic transducer 302, the audio port 304, the controller 306, thecommunication interface 308 and the storage module 310, described inFIG. 1.

Additionally, the communication interface 308 may be configured forenabling communication of information between the plug-in device and thebase unit. Further one or more of, the plug-in device and the base unit,may be configured for communicating with the remote location.Additionally, communication with the remote location may occur over oneor more communication channels such as, but not limited to a wired and awireless communication channel. In one embodiment, communication withthe practitioner device 100 occurs over the wireless communicationchannel.

In an embodiment, the plug-in device may be a special purpose tinnitustreatment device that interfaces with the base unit through one or moreof, a wired and a wireless channel. Further, the special purposetinnitus treatment device may be a self-contained device comprisingcomponents such as, but not limited to, computer memory, sound card,batteries, wired communication interface, wireless communicationinterface and earphones. Additionally, the special purpose tinnitustreatment device may communicate with the practitioner device 100,through the base unit.

According to methods and systems disclosed herein, the mobile device 202may facilitate testing and treatment by performing the following stepsof a method 500, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

In step 502, the method may involve receiving an input from apractitioner via the practitioner device 100. The input is related to atleast one of testing and treatment of at least one auditory disorder.Based on the input, in step 504, information is exchanged between thepractitioner device 100 and a remote unit including the mobile device202 of a user, the server 206 and the cloud storage 208.

Thereafter, the mobile device 202 facilitates at least one of testing ofat least one auditory disorder and treatment of at least one auditorydisorder. The next steps are explained in detail in conjunction with thesteps of a method 600 illustrated in FIG. 6. At 602, the method mayinvolve generating the sound signal using the sound synthesizer 300.Additionally, generation of the sound signal may also depend oninformation received from sources such as, one or more of, a userinterface of the mobile device 202, the storage module 310, thepractitioner device 100, the server 206 and the cloud storage 208.

For instance, a practitioner operating the practitioner device 100 mayspecify the parameter of the sound signal to be generated by the soundsynthesizer, as mentioned in embodiments described above. In anotherinstance, the user operating the mobile device 202 may specify the soundsignal to be generated by interacting with the user interface of themobile device 202. In yet another instance, the sound signal may bedownloaded from the cloud storage 208 to the library of sound signals,and subsequently selected by the user for generation by the soundsynthesizer.

Thereafter, acoustic waves based on the sound signal may be generatedusing one or more of, the acoustic transducer 302 and the audio port304, in step 604.

Subsequently in step 606, the method may involve using the controller306 for performing one or more of, the auditory test and the auditorytreatment procedure. The controller 306 may be used for controlling atleast one of, the sound synthesizer 300 and the audio port 304, forperforming the auditory test and the auditory treatment procedure. In aninstance, the controller 306 may administer a first auditory test for afirst auditory disorder, and a second auditory test for a secondauditory disorder, simultaneously to the user operating the mobiledevice 202. Similarly, the controller 306 may also administer a firstauditory treatment procedure for a first auditory disorder and a secondauditory test for a second auditory disorder, simultaneously to the useroperating the mobile device 202. Further, the first auditory treatmentprocedure may be the passive auditory treatment procedure, while thesecond auditory treatment procedure may be the active auditory treatmentprocedure. In an instance, the controller 306 may also provide one ormore of, the synchronous and the asynchronous mode, of administering oneor more of, the auditory test and the auditory treatment procedure, toboth the left and right ears of the user. Additionally, the controller306 may also enable receiving input from the user from the userinterface for adjusting the parameter of the sound signal to beadministered as a part of the auditory test and the auditory treatmentprocedure.

The method may also involve a step 608 of communicating informationbetween the mobile device 202 and the remote location. Communication ofinformation may include transmission of information. For instance, thisstep may involve communicating information such as, self-assessmentquestionnaire forms, the result of assessment of the auditory test, andthe result of the auditory test. Information may be transmitted to theremote location. Practitioners with access to the remote location maythen access the information, and specify adjustments to the auditorytest administered at the mobile device 202. The practitioners may alsospecify the auditory treatment procedure to be administered. In anotherexample, the user may send messages seeking expert assistance to thecloud storage 208 through the user account registered to the user. Amanagement system corresponding to the cloud storage 208 may then notifya practitioner connected to the cloud storage 208 with the details ofthe user and the nature of assistance required.

Additionally, communication of information may also include receivinginformation from the remote location. For instance, the step 608 mayalso involve receiving training material for psychological training andcounselling, stored in the cloud storage 208. The user may read thetraining material, and fill self-assessment questionnaire forms to besubsequently transmitted to the practitioner operating the practitionerdevice 100. In another instance, the user may receive information suchas, the sound signal for subsequently conducting the auditory test,feedback on the self-assessment questionnaire forms, and adjustments tobe made to the auditory test and the auditory treatment procedure.

The method may also include a step 610 of storing information in thestorage module 310.

In an embodiment, the method may further include an optional step 612,of providing the configuration input to the hearing aid 402 interfacingwith the mobile device 202 using the hearing aid fitting module 400. Thestep 612 may occur after the step 408 of receiving information from thepractitioner device 100. Alternatively, the step 612 may be performedsubsequent to the step 606 of using the controller 306 to facilitate theauditory test.

Additionally, in another embodiment the method may also include anoptional step 614, of billing the user for a service of providing one ormore of, the auditory test and the auditory treatment procedure.Further, the billing may be based on the service provided to the user.In an embodiment, service records for each user may be stored in thecloud storage 208. The service records may contain informationpertaining to all services provided to the user. Moreover, the servicesprovided may include, but not limited to, diagnosis, assessment,treatment, psychological training and counselling, provided to the user.Based on the service records, the user may be billed for the servicesprovided. In an instance, the cloud storage 208 may utilize a prepaidconsumer purchase model for allowing the user to pre-pay for the serviceby using one or more of, prepaid cards and advance money deposits, to asaving account linked with the user account. Thereafter, the cloudstorage 208 records information provided by the controller 306 in themobile device 202 in the service records. Thereafter, payment may besubtracted based on the information stored in the service records.Additionally, the step 614 may occur after the step 608 of receivinginformation. Alternatively, the step 614 may be performed subsequent tothe step 606 of using the controller 306 to facilitate the auditory testand the auditory treatment procedure. In another instance, the step 614may be performed after step 610 of storing information in the storagemodule 310.

It will be appreciated that various above-disclosed embodiments, otherfeatures and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirablycombined into many other different systems or applications. Variouspresently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications,variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by thoseskilled in the art, which are also intended to be encompassed by thefollowing claims.

We claim:
 1. A practitioner device for facilitating at least one oftesting and treatment of at least one auditory disorder, thepractitioner device comprising: a. a user interface configured forreceiving an input from a practitioner; and b. a communication interfaceconfigured for communicating information between the practitioner deviceand at least one of a mobile device and another practitioner device overat least one of a wired communication channel and a wirelesscommunication channel, wherein the information is based on the input,wherein the information corresponds to at least one of at least oneauditory test and at least one auditory treatment procedure, wherein themobile device facilitates at least one of testing of at least oneauditory disorder and treatment of at least one auditory disorder. 2.The practitioner device of claim 1, wherein the mobile device comprises:a. a sound synthesizer configured for generating at least one soundsignal, wherein the generating is in accordance with at least oneparameter representing at least one of intensity, loudness, frequency,tone, bandwidth, noise, speech, rhythm, a start time, an end time andperiodicity corresponding to the at least one sound signal; b. an audioport configured for interfacing with an acoustic transducer configuredfor generating acoustic waves based on the at least one sound signal,wherein a frequency of the acoustic waves is between 1 Hz and 20 KHz,wherein an intensity of the acoustic waves is between 0 dB and 120 dB;c. a controller configured for controlling at least one of the soundsynthesizer and the audio port based on the information communicated bythe practitioner device, wherein the controller is configured forperforming at least one of the at least one auditory test and the atleast one auditory treatment procedure in one of a synchronized mode anda desynchronized mode; d. a communication interface configured forenabling communication of information between the mobile device and thepractitioner device over at least one of a wired communication channeland a wireless communication channel; and e. a storage module configuredfor storing at least one of the at least one sound signal, at least oneparameter corresponding to the at least one sound signal, a result ofthe at least one auditory test and at least one auditory treatment andinformation corresponding to at least one of psychological training,education and counselling corresponding to the at least one auditorydisorder, wherein the at least one parameter is based on at least one ofthe at least one auditory test and the at least one auditory treatmentprocedure.
 3. The practitioner device of claim 1 further comprising: a.a sound synthesizer configured for generating at least one sound signal,wherein the generating is in accordance with at least one parameterrepresenting at least one of intensity, loudness, frequency, tone,bandwidth, noise, speech, rhythm, a start time, an end time andperiodicity corresponding to the at least one sound signal; b. an audioport configured for interfacing with an acoustic transducer configuredfor generating acoustic waves based on the at least one sound signal,wherein a frequency of the acoustic waves is between 1 Hz and 20 KHz,wherein an intensity of the acoustic waves is between 0 dB and 120 dB;c. a controller configured for controlling at least one of the soundsynthesizer and the audio port based on the information communicated byanother practitioner device, wherein the controller is configured forperforming at least one of the at least one auditory test and the atleast one auditory treatment procedure in one of a synchronized mode anda desynchronized mode; and d. a storage module configured for storing atleast one of the at least one sound signal, at least one parametercorresponding to the at least one sound signal, a result of the at leastone auditory test and at least one auditory treatment and informationcorresponding to at least one of psychological training, education andcounselling corresponding to the at least one auditory disorder, whereinthe at least one parameter is based on at least one of the at least oneauditory test and the at least one auditory treatment procedure.
 4. Thepractitioner device of claim 1, wherein the at least one auditory testis at least one of relative hearing loss test, tinnitus sound matchingand capturing test, sound sensitivity disorder (SSD) test, hyperacusistest, misophonia test, insomnia test, stress test, depression test,hyperactivity test, anxiety test and relaxation test, wherein the atleast one sound signal simulates an acoustic characteristic of aphysical environment.
 5. The practitioner device of claim 1, wherein theat least one auditory treatment procedure is at least one of AcousticTinnitus Masking Therapy (ATMT), Acoustic Tinnitus Retraining Therapy(ATRT), Acoustic Tinnitus Stimulation Therapy (ATST), CognitiveHabituation Tinnitus Therapy (CHaTT), Acoustic Insomnia Therapy (AIT),Acoustic Stress Therapy (AST), Acoustic Depression Therapy (ADT),Acoustic Hyperactivity Therapy (AHT), Acoustic Anxiety Therapy (AAT),and Acoustic Relaxation Therapy (ART), wherein the at least one auditorytreatment procedure is based on at least one of habituation,suppression, distraction, attention diversion, relaxation, positiveassociation and neuromodulation.
 6. The practitioner device of claim 1further comprising at least one sensor configured to sense at least oneof sound perception for performing a Subjective Pure Tone Hearing Test,bone conduction for performing a Bone Conductive Hearing Test, ObjectiveAcoustic Impedance, Auditory Brainstem Response and AuditorySteady-State Evoked Response.
 7. The practitioner device of claim 2,wherein the information comprises at least one parameter, wherein thesound synthesizer is configured for generating the at least one soundsignal in accordance with the at least one parameter, wherein the atleast one parameter is based on at least one of the at least oneauditory test and the at least one auditory treatment procedure.
 8. Thepractitioner device of claim 2, wherein the communication interfacecomprised in the practitioner device is configured for receiving atleast one of the at least one sound signal, at least one parametercorresponding to the at least one sound signal, the result of the atleast one auditory test, the at least one auditory test, the at leastone auditory treatment procedure and a counselling protocol from themobile device, wherein the at least one parameter is based on at leastone of the at least one auditory test and the at least one auditorytreatment procedure.
 9. The practitioner device of claim 2, wherein thecommunication interface is configured for transmitting at least one ofthe at least one sound signal, at least one parameter corresponding tothe at least one sound signal, the result of the at least one auditorytest, the at least one auditory test, the at least one auditorytreatment procedure and a counselling protocol to at least one of themobile device and another practitioner device, wherein the at least oneparameter is based on at least one of the at least one auditory test andthe at least one auditory treatment procedure.
 10. The practitionerdevice of claim 1 further comprising an aural endoscope configured forcapturing at least one image of at least a part of an ear.
 11. Thepractitioner device of claim 1 further comprising at least one sensorconfigured for performing at least one of real-ear measurement andsurround sound field assessment.
 12. A method for facilitating at leastone of testing and treatment of at least one auditory disorder, themethod comprising: a. receiving, through a user interface of apractitioner device, an input from a practitioner; and b. communicating,through a communication interface of the practitioner device,information between the practitioner device and at least one of a mobiledevice and another practitioner device over at least one of a wiredcommunication channel and a wireless communication channel, wherein theinformation is based on the input, wherein the information correspondsto at least one of at least one auditory test and at least one auditorytreatment procedure, wherein the mobile device facilitates at least oneof testing of at least one auditory disorder and treatment of at leastone auditory disorder.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the mobiledevice comprises: a. a sound synthesizer configured for generating atleast one sound signal, wherein the generating is in accordance with atleast one parameter representing at least one of intensity, loudness,frequency, tone, bandwidth, noise, speech, rhythm, a start time, an endtime and periodicity corresponding to the at least one sound signal; b.an audio port configured for interfacing with an acoustic transducerconfigured for generating acoustic waves based on the at least one soundsignal, wherein a frequency of the acoustic waves is between 1 Hz and 20KHz, wherein an intensity of the acoustic waves is between 0 dB and 120dB; c. a controller configured for controlling at least one of the soundsynthesizer and the audio port based on the information communicated bythe practitioner device, wherein the controller is configured forperforming at least one of the at least one auditory test and the atleast one auditory treatment procedure in one of a synchronized mode anda desynchronized mode; d. a communication interface configured forenabling communication of information between the mobile device and thepractitioner device over at least one wireless communication channel;and e. a storage module configured for storing at least one of the atleast one sound signal, at least one parameter corresponding to the atleast one sound signal, a result of the at least one auditory test andat least one auditory treatment and information corresponding to atleast one of psychological training, education and counsellingcorresponding to the at least one auditory disorder, wherein the atleast one parameter is based on at least one of the at least oneauditory test and the at least one auditory treatment procedure.
 14. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the practitioner device comprises: a. asound synthesizer configured for generating at least one sound signal,wherein the generating is in accordance with at least one parameterrepresenting at least one of intensity, loudness, frequency, tone,bandwidth, noise, speech, rhythm, a start time, an end time andperiodicity corresponding to the at least one sound signal; b. an audioport configured for interfacing with an acoustic transducer configuredfor generating acoustic waves based on the at least one sound signal,wherein a frequency of the acoustic waves is between 1 Hz and 20 KHz,wherein an intensity of the acoustic waves is between 0 dB and 120 dB;c. a controller configured for controlling at least one of the soundsynthesizer and the audio port based on the information communicated byanother practitioner device, wherein the controller is configured forperforming at least one of the at least one auditory test and the atleast one auditory treatment procedure in one of a synchronized mode anda desynchronized mode; and d. a storage module configured for storing atleast one of the at least one sound signal, at least one parametercorresponding to the at least one sound signal, a result of the at leastone auditory test and at least one auditory treatment and informationcorresponding to at least one of psychological training, education andcounselling corresponding to the at least one auditory disorder, whereinthe at least one parameter is based on at least one of the at least oneauditory test and the at least one auditory treatment procedure.
 15. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the at least one auditory test is at leastone of relative hearing loss test, tinnitus sound matching and capturingtest, sound sensitivity disorder (SSD) test, hyperacusis test,misophonia test, insomnia test, stress test, depression test,hyperactivity test, anxiety test, and relaxation test, wherein the atleast one sound signal simulates an acoustic characteristic of aphysical environment.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the at leastone auditory treatment procedure is at least one of Acoustic TinnitusMasking Therapy (ATMT), Acoustic Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (ATRT),Acoustic Tinnitus Stimulation Therapy (ATST), Cognitive HabituationTinnitus Therapy (CHaTT), Acoustic Insomnia Therapy (AIT), AcousticStress Therapy (AST), Acoustic Depression Therapy (ADT), AcousticHyperactivity Therapy (AHT), Acoustic Anxiety Therapy (AAT), andAcoustic Relaxation Therapy (ART), wherein the at least one auditorytreatment procedure is based on at least one of habituation,suppression, distraction, attention diversion, relaxation, positiveassociation and neuromodulation.
 17. The method of claim 12 furthercomprising sensing, using at least one sensor, at least one of soundperception for performing a Subjective Pure Tone Hearing Test and boneconduction for performing a Bone Conductive Hearing Test, and ObjectiveAcoustic Impedance, Auditory Brainstem Response and AuditorySteady-State Evoked Response.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein theinformation comprises at least one parameter, wherein the soundsynthesizer is configured for generating the at least one sound signalin accordance with the at least one parameter, wherein the at least oneparameter is based on at least one of the at least one auditory test andthe at least one auditory treatment procedure.
 19. The method of claim13, wherein the communication interface comprised in the practitionerdevice is configured for receiving at least one of the at least onesound signal, at least one parameter corresponding to the at least onesound signal, the result of the at least one auditory test, the at leastone auditory test, the at least one auditory treatment procedure and acounselling protocol from the mobile device, wherein the at least oneparameter is based on at least one of the at least one auditory test andthe at least one auditory treatment procedure.
 20. The method of claim13, wherein the communication interface is configured for transmittingat least one of the at least one sound signal, at least one parametercorresponding to the at least one sound signal, the result of the atleast one auditory test, the at least one auditory test, the at leastone auditory treatment procedure and a counselling protocol to at leastone of the mobile device and another practitioner device, wherein the atleast one parameter is based on at least one of the at least oneauditory test and the at least one auditory treatment procedure.
 21. Themethod of claim 12 further comprising: a. capturing, using an auralendoscope, at least one image of at least a part of an ear; and b.performing, using at least one sensor, at least one of real-earmeasurement and surround sound field assessment.
 22. The method of claim12 further comprising billing a user for a service of providing at leastone of the at least one auditory test, the at least one auditorytreatment procedure, psychological training, education and counselling,wherein the billing is based on the service provided to the user.